File now or wait for latest tax filing for I-134

[023203 3]

Hi everyone,

 

Need some advice regarding i-134 supporting documents.

 

We got our NOA2 last March 8, 2018, and according to the NVC website, I can schedule an interview already at the US Embassy in Manila (website says "Ready").

 

We're currently preparing our I-134 now, collecting and compiling supporting documents.

 

My USC fiancee will file her taxes this April (I think the deadline is on the 15th).

 

My questions:

 

1. Do we submit the documents we have now (2015, 2016 documents), or would it be better to wait for the most current one (2017), and then bring all these to my interview?

 

2. How long before we can get a tax transcript after filing on April 15? What's the usual time before we can get a copy of the transcript?

 

I know it's just a few weeks' difference, but every little bit helps. I'll have to wait until the 15th before I can schedule an interview, medical etc. And I don't know how long the waiting time is for an interview in the embassy here in Manila.

 

Hoping for your usual excellent advice. Thanks.

[nathanp 6]

i personally would wait until the new tax transcript comes in.when i filed it was for the last 3 years.so if you wait until 2017 season then just send 2015,2016,2017 together.

 

the transcript should be available immediately if done online.the following link has the info and links to do so.

 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/request-a-transcript-or-copy-of-a-prior-year-tax-return

 

my wife waited i think a week if not sooner for her interview in Manila.i cant remember exactly.i think we had to change it at 1 point as some documents were not in order.you can go to the website and see what dates are available. (i forgot the link)

 

i do know you want to be here asap and get everything done.but i will say take your time.it took my wife and i 2 and a half years to get her here.its all worth it.shes been here almost 2 years..shes now back in the Philippines with our 8 month old daughter visiting her family.she will fly back here in a few days.

[JFH 12,190]

10 minutes ago, 023203 said:

 

 

2. How long before we can get a tax transcript after filing on April 15?

Depends whether the filing was by mail or electronically, whether there was a balance due and whether the payment was made. Two to 3 weeks would be the minimum. 

 

However, you don't have to wait until the 15th (the deadline is actually the 17th this year due to the weekend and a holiday in DC on the 16th) to file. You can file from January. Why not file today? 

[023203 3]

18 minutes ago, nathanp said:

i personally would wait until the new tax transcript comes in.when i filed it was for the last 3 years.so if you wait until 2017 season then just send 2015,2016,2017 together.

 

the transcript should be available immediately if done online.the following link has the info and links to do so.

 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/request-a-transcript-or-copy-of-a-prior-year-tax-return

 

my wife waited i think a week if not sooner for her interview in Manila.i cant remember exactly.i think we had to change it at 1 point as some documents were not in order.you can go to the website and see what dates are available. (i forgot the link)

 

i do know you want to be here asap and get everything done.but i will say take your time.it took my wife and i 2 and a half years to get her here.its all worth it.shes been here almost 2 years..shes now back in the Philippines with our 8 month old daughter visiting her family.she will fly back here in a few days.

Thanks for this. We will discuss this more, given the information you have given.

 

All the time spent preparing and waiting to be together will always, always be worth the wait.

 

Thank you for your help.

[023203 3]

19 minutes ago, JFH said:

Depends whether the filing was by mail or electronically, whether there was a balance due and whether the payment was made. Two to 3 weeks would be the minimum. 

 

However, you don't have to wait until the 15th (the deadline is actually the 17th this year due to the weekend and a holiday in DC on the 16th) to file. You can file from January. Why not file today? 

Thank you for your help.

 

What do you mean file from January? Will the transcript reflect information as late as January 2018? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with US tax stuff.

[sumbunny 566]

My return was e-filed beginning of last week and my 2017 transcript was already available at irs.gov !

[Nitas_man 3,100]

55 minutes ago, 023203 said:

Hi everyone,

 

Need some advice regarding i-134 supporting documents.

 

We got our NOA2 last March 8, 2018, and according to the NVC website, I can schedule an interview already at the US Embassy in Manila (website says "Ready").

 

We're currently preparing our I-134 now, collecting and compiling supporting documents.

 

My USC fiancee will file her taxes this April (I think the deadline is on the 15th).

 

My questions:

 

1. Do we submit the documents we have now (2015, 2016 documents), or would it be better to wait for the most current one (2017), and then bring all these to my interview?

 

2. How long before we can get a tax transcript after filing on April 15? What's the usual time before we can get a copy of the transcript?

 

I know it's just a few weeks' difference, but every little bit helps. I'll have to wait until the 15th before I can schedule an interview, medical etc. And I don't know how long the waiting time is for an interview in the embassy here in Manila.

 

Hoping for your usual excellent advice. Thanks.

The IRS starts accepting previous year returns the last week of January and transcripts are available online about 3 weeks after the return is filed. 

 

There is no need to wait until the last possible day to file taxes. 

Edited April 2, 2018 by Nitas_man

[023203 3]

1 minute ago, sumbunny said:

My return was e-filed beginning of last week and my 2017 transcript was already available at irs.gov !

That's really good to know! Thank you so much. 

[023203 3]

Just now, Nitas_man said:

The IRS starts accepting returns the last week of January and transcripts are available online about 3 weeks after the return is filed. 

 

There is no need to wait until the last possible day to file taxes. 

Ah I understand now. My fiancée is still preparing to file. So I guess I'll wait for her to do so. Thank you so much.

[JFH 12,190]

30 minutes ago, 023203 said:

Thank you for your help.

 

What do you mean file from January? Will the transcript reflect information as late as January 2018? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with US tax stuff.

The window for filing opens in January. Your fiancé has left it pretty late if they still haven't filed as it's April already. There is no need to wait until April to file the tax return. I couldn't leave it so late - I just wanted it done and out of the way as soon as possible (but I didn't owe anything - I got a refund). Have they left it so late because they owe? 

[023203 3]

5 minutes ago, JFH said:

The window for filing opens in January. Your fiancé has left it pretty late if they still haven't filed as it's April already. There is no need to wait until April to file the tax return. I couldn't leave it so late - I just wanted it done and out of the way as soon as possible (but I didn't owe anything - I got a refund). Have they left it so late because they owe? 

Ah I see. She's been busy at work, for the most part. She doesn't owe anything, as far as I know. Thanks so much for your help. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

I was able to download my transcript about a week after filing. If you file electronically as soon as it says processed on the "Wheres my refund" page the transcripts should be available. Mine only took a little over a week.

[023203 3]

3 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

I was able to download my transcript about a week after filing. If you file electronically as soon as it says processed on the "Wheres my refund" page the transcripts should be available. Mine only took a little over a week.

Thanks for this. Makes me feel better.